KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 28): The FBM KLCI opened lower this morning in line with the quiet trade at most regional markets, but is seen clawing higher later in the day on window-dressing activities.

At 9am, the FBM KLCI fell 3.94 points to 1,659.57 points.

The early decliners included Ajinomoto (Malaysia) Bhd, Public Bank Bhd, Lay Hong Bhd, Hong Leong Bank Bhd, IHH Healthcare Bhd, Westports Holdings Bhd, Tenaga Nasional Bhd, Syarikat Takaful Malaysia Bhd and IOI Corporation Bhd.

Asian stocks were steady in quiet trade on Monday, drawing heart after a rebound in crude oil that took prices away from multi-year lows, according to Reuters.

Investors across asset markets were without some of the usual leads as markets in Europe and North America were closed on Friday for Christmas, it said.

JF Apex Securities Research in a market preview today said US markets were mixed last Thursday amid gains in commodities and oil prices.

Similarly, it said European equities were flat on the last trading day before Christmas.

"On the local market, the FBM KLCI rallied 20.25 points to 1,663.51 points.

"The index is expected to be buoyed by recent positive momentum and year-end window dressing," it said.

(Note: The Edge Research's fundamental score reflects a company's profitability and balance sheet strength, calculated based on historical numbers. The valuation score determines if a stock is attractively valued or not, also based on historical numbers. A score of 3 suggests strong fundamentals and attractive valuations.)